KNIGHTS BREAK THROUGH, SQUIRES FALL JUST SHORT
<em>By: Miguel Caramoan</em>
Colegio de San Juan de Letran, backed by Strong Group, had a weekend of contrasting fortunes as both its seniors and juniors squads faced Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 101 basketball tournaments at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The Knights finally broke through in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament, closing out Round 1 of Group B with an 84-80 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
The win ensured that every team in the group recorded at least one victory and gave the Knights a boost of confidence heading into the crossover games against Group A squads starting next week.
Deo Cuajao led the charge, scoring 23 points on 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc and hitting two crucial triples in the fourth quarter to help pull Letran away from the Generals. Jonathan Manalili orchestrated the attack, finishing with a double-double of 12 points and 13 assists, along with six rebounds and four steals. Kevin Santos added 15 points and six rebounds on 62.5% shooting, while Aaron Buensalida contributed a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards.
“Well, they are very skillful and I’m blessed with that. But syempre, at the end of the day, yung cohesiveness and chemistry, it will take some time. Yung kagandahan nga nito, medyo maganda din yung tournament format natin, so I’m hoping na little by little mag-peak na rin yung team namin,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo.
The Generals kept the game close deep into the fourth quarter, but timely baskets from Cuajao, Buensalida, Jimboy Estrada, and Peter Rosillo helped the Knights seize a 76-68 lead with just over five minutes remaining. Their defense held EAC scoreless from the field until late in the final minute, securing the hard-fought victory.
Jun Roque missed his second consecutive game due to a shoulder injury.
Letran will aim to make it two straight wins when they face the still-unbeaten University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Meanwhile, the Squires came agonizingly close but ultimately fell 83-81 to Emilio Aguinaldo College-Immaculate Conception Academy in Group B of the NCAA Season 101 Juniors Basketball Tournament.
The game was a frenetic back-and-forth affair, featuring nine lead changes in the final five minutes.
With the Squires holding an 81-80 advantage and 24 seconds remaining, EAC-ICA guard Clint Bonus sank a clutch jumper over Mico Pascual to give the Brigadiers the lead.
Letran had one final chance, but go-ahead attempts from Nathan Egea and Pascual rimmed out, while Noel Anceta split his free throws to seal the two-point victory for EAC-ICA.
Egea led the Squires with 16 points on 15 shots, while Pascual added 15 points and six rebounds.
Harvey Macadangdang and Justin Cargo provided strong support, with Cargo finishing with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Despite the loss, the Squires remain atop Group B standings at 3-1 and will look to bounce back in the coming matchups as they chase a strong position heading into the crossover round.
